Florida schools must have zero tolerance for hazing

Saturday

Nov 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Edison Jackson, B-CU interim president, recently said hazing is the "easiest" way to get expelled from B-CU. That's a clear statement.

OUR VIEW

It's been one year since Robert Champion died from injuries suffered in a hazing incident during the Florida Classic. And one year later, it's reassuring to hear from Bethune-Cookman University officials — as well as other college officials in Florida — that they won't tolerate hazing. Not now or ever, not in any form. Champion was a drum major in the vaunted Florida A&M Marching 100. A college student from Georgia, Champion died after FAMU students allegedly beat and punched him during festivities for the Florida Classic.

According to reports, students being hazed were sitting on the bus. Hazing students ran up and down the aisle, pummeling their human targets. This is hazing at its worst. It led to a death and 12 students being charged with felony hazing. Even less physical forms of hazing have led to injury and death. Hazing is not something to be taken lightly, particularly because it's a bullying form of abuse that tends to get worse over time. In Florida, the practice of hazing students has been illegal since 2005. Like a stubborn infection, hazing refuses to go away. But it is possible to heal Florida completely of this infection. The cure is strict enforcement mixed with a liberal dose of zero tolerance. Whistleblowers are also needed. That's how the University of Central Florida recently flagged a fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, for alleged hazing. The UCF allegations are a reminder that hazing can often involve bullying and alcohol, a dangerous combination. According to reports, targets of the alleged hazing at UCF were put into ice water after drinking a certain amount of alcohol. It's easy to see how this kind of juvenile behavior could lead to serious consequences. Fortunately, one student had the good sense to go to UCF authorities. Immaturity probably explains why many students don't realize the risks — and why they also don't know or care that hazing is illegal in Florida. Peer pressure and immaturity are a bad combination. Thus, it's up to the adults in charge to draw the line against hazing and enforce the law. Administrators have to accept they can never let their guard down. Education about hazing and its risks and penalties must be provided to students. But tough enforcement of anti-hazing rules is critical. At Bethune-Cookman, officials have made clear they are on guard. Edison Jackson, B-CU interim president, recently said hazing is the "easiest" way to get expelled from B-CU. That's a clear statement. On Saturday, the Bethune-Cookman Marching Wildcats will be the center of attention at the 33rd annual Florida Blue Florida Classic halftime show. The rival FAMU band is serving suspension. An anti-hazing symposium was also scheduled for Friday at the Amway Center in Orlando. Robert Champion's tragic death has brought home the danger of hazing to administrators and students across the state. But the universities can't let the current sense of urgency fade into complacency over time. Champion's life and death should remain a symbol of the terrible waste associated with this dangerous "game."